Slice PSD files to HTML for a Business-Class Website!

The monopoly of Adobe Photoshop over the market cannot be questioned as it still remains the go-to software for amateur as well as professional designers In fact, in 2010 alone, it had around 10 million users and over 90% of these experts worldwide still swear by Photoshop.

Converting PSD Files to HTML can be a complicated and cumbersome task when sliced with automated software. Pixel-precision is usually impossible in such cases and the resultant HTML codes turn out to be full of bugs. Hand-written codes by front-end developers and visually-appealing designs created by innovative designers still rule the day in this world of automated tasks.

“PSD to HTML is dead” is a myth! Designers still create Photoshop mockups for clients to review and these PSD files are later converted to HTML codes. It is possible to directly start coding using Bootstrap but such websites lack a unique identity of their own as they are not creative enough. On the other hand, smart websites can be made effortlessly with the help of Photoshop. In fact, not only does it help to build a workflow, it also becomes the perfect visual guide to follow which envisaging the finished product.

So let’s talk about the three other myths associated with PSD to HTML conversion:

Earlier, PSD to HTML conversion was extremely popular because there weren’t devices of multiple sizes around. It used to be a fast process, when PSD files would easily be converted to efficient websites. But with the introduction of screens of different sizes and differing densities, it is believed that such conversions might mess up the entire look of the website. This is a myth!

Entrepreneurs can’t wait for developers to create samples in order for them to know how their business website will look. It is the designer who can present clients with mock-ups which later serve as blueprints for the developers. Due to this, PSD to HTML conversion comes in handy.

It is a myth that sliced HTML codes lead to websites which aren’t responsive. PSD files are scrutinized and the same is exported to HTML with the help of hand-written codes by front-end developers. Cross-browser compatibility is guaranteed with HTML/XHTML/CSS mark-ups using CSS2.1 or CSS3. In fact, experiences tech gurus ensure that websites are optimized to look good across platforms and devices. It is their task to use appropriate frameworks to make the website compatible with a variety of browsers as well as to aim for pixel-precise and retina-ready websites. Consequently, images should be redefined by working around the file sizes, shapes, and pixel quality so that consistency is maintained. Testing by QA team on multiple browsers and devices should also be undertaken to ensure seamless navigation and interface.

Contrary to popular opinion, these websites are SEO-optimized. For this, SEO-semantic HTML tags should be added to improve rankings. Additionally, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) play a big role in creating SEO-friendly websites by adding a pinch of cohesiveness and uniformity to it. It divides the page and separates content from the design elements.

Sliced versions of images also help in keeping an eye on the image limit. It reduces file size and optimizes loading time of the website resulting in satisfied users. Images also matter while making a website ready for SEO. Using Alt tags is the key here! Also, tweaking meta-tags leads to greater traffic and so the team must be aware of these hacks as all this will make a flawless, SEO-friendly website.

Pages are designed by designers in Photoshop and then these PSD files are converted into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript by developers. They need each other to streamline the entire process of website development. Front-end developers ensure that the website is intuitive, fast and has a cohesive layout. In fact, the entire process of development has seen an expansion; from static HTML/CSS pages to fully functional single page websites using JavaScript frameworks such as AngularJS, Backbone.js and more.

Poor coding leads to bug-infested websites, so it is essential to select an experienced PSD to HTML provider. Additionally, when you opt for automated processes, you may end up with poorly performing websites. Manual coders ensure that the website is user-friendly and bereft of bugs which can affect website performance.

Quality analysis of such designs is crucial to getting a fully functional, efficient website. Along with this, it is important to guarantee that the business website is W3C compliant which ensures that it is bug-free. Code validation is mandatory for an efficient and fast website.

It will take a while for PSD to HTML to die out since it creates an effective workflow. When there are PSD designs available, the entire team is aware of the steps which are required to be taken to deliver an impeccable website. At the same time, the client can also be made aware of the architecture of the website without wasting time in creating codes for a sample website. It leads to enhanced communication within the team and also leads to the creation of a framework which has to be followed. So it is a win-win situation!